When documenting the history of hip-hop, it’s easy to find hip-hop’s connection and love-affair with alcohol. Having a good time has always been a top priority and in addition to the music, the parties and concerts where hip-hop lived were often littered with booze and liquor to help keep the party going strong. As rap would make its way from the park jams onto wax in 1979 and throughout the ’80s, a number of artists would begin referencing their favorite brands of alcohol in their rhymes. From beers to liquor and champagne, several alcohol brands gained street cred and popularity across the U.S. and beyond thanks to shout-outs on songs. It shouldn’t be surprising to see Travis Scott’s name on this list. Over the past several years, the Houston rapper has become a go-to endorser for brands ranging from Nike to McDonald’s.
Crunk Juice
The Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter was enlisted by Pernod Ricard in 2012 as the creative director for Malibu Red, a blend of Malibu coconut rum and Olmeca Tequila. In May this year, Pitbull sued the New Amsterdam Spirits Company, a subsidiary of E&J Gallo Winery, for naming one of its vodka cocktails “The Pit Bull”, a cocktail also created by Voli Vodka. As well as the original variant, Ciroc comes in peach, coconut red berry, amaretto and recently launched pineapple flavour. The exclusivity and bling of many spirits categories make the industry appealing to those in the similarly hedonistic world of hip hop. Created by Jacques Evans, FLOH Spirits partnered with Fabolous in 2016. Crowing themselves “the caviar of vodka,” FLOH is distilled in Oregon although the company is based out of Ohio.
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- We scoured the lyrics of the 20 top-selling rap artists of all time (according to the latest Nielsen SoundScan) to find the answer.
- Think about it, bottles of Grey Goose at wholesale price cost no more than $11 a bottle.
- Big business is listening also; every time a key influence, such as Diddy, name drops a product, sales automatically shoot up.
- The exclusivity and bling of many spirits categories make the industry appealing to those in the similarly hedonistic world of hip hop.
While drugs and alcohol may remain ubiquitous in hip-hop culture, substance abuse has also left an undeniable scar on the lives and careers of many artists. In another Diageo-US rap star tie collaboration, the drinks giant enlisted Happy and Blurred Lines music producer and hip hop singer Pharrell Williams to front the launch of its feminine Qream liqueur in 2010. Jada Pinkett Smith sober rappers opened up about her past drug and alcohol addiction on Red Table Talk. She had moments when she wanted to quit after passing out on film sets or when other people noticed her habits, but it was a long journey.
Cent
Kid Cudi had a difficult upbringing that ultimately made him turn to drugs. He got increasingly into substance abuse the older he got, and it got worse the more prominent he became. The rapper had always dealt with anxiety and depression, but he began to sink deeper into those waters as time passed.
In March 2021, Scott introduced his newest non-musical venture to the world, a blue agave-infused hard seltzer beverage, CACTI. CACTI was offered in three flavors—pineapple, lime, and strawberry—and sold in nine-can variety packs. The Anheuser-Busch-produced beverage set itself apart from the crowded hard seltzer market with its higher ABV content.
LMFAO feat. Lil Jon, “Shots”
Take a look at this list and find out which of your favorite rap stars abstain from drugs and alcohol. When Jay-Z switched Cristal for golden bottles of Armand de Brignac (better known as Ace of Spaces) in his “Show Me What You Got” music video, the champagne company experienced an unprecedented rise in sales. Chateau de Cognac, on the other hand, was looking to expand their business, and Jay appeared at their front door with ideas for a new Cognac blend and a marketing plan. The new blend was named D’USSE, and Jay operates as both a partial owner and the lead global strategist. Hip-hop artists didn’t always have their own liquor brands to promote, hence why you would hear frequent mentions of Moët, Dom Pérignon, and Cristal on songs since the early 2000s.
3 Olives partnered with Lil’ Kim to create their “Purple” blend, a grape flavoured mix. Originating in Chicago, and created by brothers Brian and Brett Berish, 3 Vodka was distributed by Sovereign Brands. Dupri was first impressed with 3 Vodka because of its distinct taste. Most Vodkas are made from grain or grapes, while 3 Vodka boasts that it is the first company to distribute soy-based vodka. Almost two decades later, the Godson began doing business with the cognac heavyweights. Nas has been working as a brand ambassador for Hennessy since 2012 and the Queens Bridge King also shares creative control of advertisements.
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- As rap would make its way from the park jams onto wax in 1979 and throughout the ’80s, a number of artists would begin referencing their favorite brands of alcohol in their rhymes.
- While many musicians struggle with drugs and alcohol, others choose to remain sober or get clean after experiences with addiction.
- The brand first gained popularity after appearing on the HBO hit series Entourage.
- The first time was in December 2020, when he voluntarily sought out professional help.
- Another product that destroys barriers and brings people together, is music.
- To fill you in on just how serious an issue it is, let’s face the facts.
In 2018, The Boombox looks back at 15 rappers who have made a foray into the liquor and booze, with varying results. Rick Ross has been expanding his portfolio beyond just rap for years. Maybe you’ve stopped by your nearest Checkers for a Big Buford or hit up Wingstop for a 10-piece order of lemon pepper wings per his recommendation as a notable franchise owner of both companies. Surprisingly, it appears he has no official stake in Luc Belaire though, the French brand that launched its popular sparkling rosé in 2011, despite undoubtedly being its most notorious ambassador.
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British singer Leona Lewis hates the taste of alcohol so avoids it altogether. She revealed in an interview that she drank nonalcoholic champagne to celebrate her debut single going number one on the charts. Hip-hop is known for thought-provoking lyricism, clever wordplay, and innovative musicianship. However, like Rock ‘n’ Roll before it, it’s also a genre with many acts who espouse a hedonistic lifestyle.
The R&B star even penned a single Burnin’ Up to promote the spirit. Developed by both sensory experts and bartenders, Malibu Red is described as having a “refreshing and smooth coconut taste” with “rich characteristics of premium Tequila and a signature fiery finish”. The luxury Tequila collection, originally founded by drinks entrepreneur Brent Hocking in 2008, is priced between US$140 and US$825. “Expanding our relationship with Sean Combs into Tequila was a natural choice given Sean’s ability to galvanise support for luxury brands, as we’ve seen with our work together on Cîroc,” said Larry Schwartz, president of Diageo North America. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by downing a drink and bumping one of these intoxicating rap tracks.